We had our hotel book us a van taxi to take us to Phuket airport. Our Air Asia flight was at 10:35am, and even though the van taxi had to pick up other passengers, we all got to the airport on time. We didn’t have breakfast, so the Dunkin Donuts at the departures area was where we stopped first after checking-in and collecting our boarding passes.

It’s been a while since I flew Air AsiaThere weren’t any delays and the flight left on timeGoodbye sun and sandQuite an archipelago

One and half hours later, we were flying over Chiang Mai province

We landed on time, and ready and waiting for our arrival was the driver assigned to pick us up from Chiang Mai international airport. The driver was courtesy of Rux Thai, the hotel we were staying at. Rux Thai is where I first stayed at when I came to Chiang Mai in 2009, and again when I returned in 2010. Needless to say, I booked at Rux Thai a third time after I e-mailed them and got a good deal (฿500 per night) for a twin room on the ground floor for three nights.

After checking-in and freshening up, we had a late lunch at an English pub on Loi Kroh road.

He he

After that, we went around looking for a bike to rent. I recommended riding uphill to Doi Suthep and assured Ramesh it’s a “must-do”. Unfortunately, the bikes we wanted – a Yamaha Fino – were unavailable at most places or too costly. We had no intention of keeping the bike until tomorrow as we would be going for a tour. At one renters, all the Honda Clicks and similar bikes refused to start! (Why is this such a common problem?) 🙂

Instead, a songthaew (pick-up taxi) approached us and ended up offering us a deal to take us to the top and drop us back for what it would have cost us to rent two bikes.

Not as fun as riding a bike ourselves, but it was getting lateThis was my third time going to Doi Suthep, so by now I had familiarized this routeSigh, Yamaha Finos. Sigh, the local copycats.I can’t recommend it enough, when in Chiang Mai, rent a bike and go up Doi Suthep hillCycling is a very popular activity here, but I don’t think I have the stamina for it!The songthaew driver told us he would wait for us; we prepared to climb the flights of stepsA furry dog’s lifeIt was tiring to climb up these steps with my heavy Kata camera backpack — something I didn’t have to deal with the last time I came hereAlso, the last time I was at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, there were some repair work going onIn 2009, there was a lot of scaffolding around the pagoda

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is just one among the many famous temples of Chiang MaiLocals and tourists alike come here in droves

The emerald Buddha

Once the sun had fully set, the lights were switched on, making the pagoda look all the more precious.

It was now time for some processionEveryone sat down on the floor as the monks chanted… and did something

But I soon left the temple and went back out.

Yay, bellsI joined Ramesh, who was outside, soaking in the night views of Chiang Mai cityI set up my tripod to take this shot

It was time for everyone to leave as Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was closing upSo we took a few photos of ourselves before we leftAwww, the dog is still here 🙁We got back to the city in the same taxiAfter offloading some weight off our backs, we walked down Loi Kroh road. Came across this brand new hostel; might have to try it out sometime.We made our way to the night marketRamesh bought some stuff. I didn’t find anything new since my last visit here in 2010.There are a lot of live performances going on at the Night Market. This was a (real) police man trying to raise funds. Seemed genuine, so we tipped him.We sat down at this very popular bar (as per the Tripadvisor recommendation they proudly displayed). Ramesh and I ordered a few drinks and enjoyed the live band.

And that was it for our first night in Chiang Mai. Tomorrow, we would be going to Laos! 🙂